A five-year law degree at an NLU costs roughly ₹12–20 lakh in total, tuition and hostel included. NLSIU Bengaluru and NALSAR Hyderabad sit at the top, at about ₹3.5–4 lakh a year; the newer NLUs run closer to ₹2–2.5 lakh a year. Add mess, books and personal expenses, and budget 20–25% above the published tuition figure. Most NLUs run need-based fee waivers, and education loans against an NLU seat are routinely sanctioned.
Published fee pages quote tuition per year. Here is the five-year total with the parts they leave out.
Indicative annual cost #
| NLU | Approx. per year (tuition + hostel) | Approx. 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bengaluru | ₹3.5–4.0 L | ₹18–20 L |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ₹3.0–3.5 L | ₹16–18 L |
| WBNUJS Kolkata | ₹2.8–3.2 L | ₹15–17 L |
| NLU Jodhpur | ₹3.0–3.5 L | ₹16–18 L |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | ₹2.8–3.2 L | ₹15–17 L |
| NLIU Bhopal | ₹2.5–3.0 L | ₹13–15 L |
| RMLNLU Lucknow / HNLU Raipur | ₹2.2–2.8 L | ₹12–14 L |
| Newer NLUs | ₹2.0–2.5 L | ₹11–13 L |
What the tuition figure hides #
| Cost | Typical |
|---|---|
| Mess charges | ₹40,000–70,000 / year |
| Books and printing | ₹10,000–20,000 / year |
| Moots, conferences, travel | ₹15,000–50,000 / year |
| Laptop, one-time | ₹50,000–90,000 |
Mooting is not optional in practice at the top NLUs — it is how you build a résumé — and the travel costs are real.
- Confirm whether the published figure includes hostel. Several NLUs quote tuition alone.
- Most NLUs run need-based fee concessions assessed on family income; NLSIU and NALSAR have well-established schemes. Apply after admission.
- Fees typically rise a few percent each year, so multiplying year one by five understates the total.
- Against these numbers: recruitment at the top NLUs has seen first-year law-firm packages substantially above the total cost of the degree. At newer NLUs, check the current placement report rather than the NLU label.
NLU fees — frequently asked questions
What is the total fee for a 5-year law degree at an NLU?
Which is the most expensive NLU?
Is hostel included in NLU fees?
Are scholarships available at NLUs?
Can I get an education loan for an NLU?
Coaching costs before the NLU fee — compared side by side.
Disclaimer: Fee figures are indicative for recent cycles and change annually. Verify on the official NLU fee pages.
